Florida’s sweltering summer may be in full swing, but the streets of downtown Sanford will begin to look a bit like Christmas this Saturday.
On the last day of the month, the Sanford Mercantile Association will host its second Christmas in July, an event bringing holiday spirit and shopping sales to visitors. Around downtown Sanford, 14 shops will offer deals, samples, raffles and festive fun.
As many businesses bounce back from the pandemic-inspired closures of 2020, the event shines a spotlight on the local shops that comprise Sanford’s downtown. Betanya Grant, the chair of events for Sanford Mercantile Association and owner of Triple Goddess Treasures, said Saturday’s festivities will help people discover businesses.
“We want to show everybody that our shopping is just as good as our restaurants and bars that we have,” Grant said. “We have a shopping passport, so you have to visit each of the shops to have your passport stamped. When you turn it into the Sanford Information Center, we’re going to have a raffle for the Sanford Christmas in July wreath, which has a value of $800.”
Shoppers can take advantage of 50 percent off holiday ornaments and décor at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, wine and beer tasting at Magnolia Square Market, a storewide sale at Triple Goddess Treasures and a buy-one-get-one sale at Sunshine State Threads. Those are just a few of the deals available.
Manatees were chosen as the mascot for this year’s Christmas in July; Save the Manatee Club will have a booth to raise awareness of Florida’s beloved sea cow and collect donations amid a year of record manatee deaths.
Several local bars and restaurants, including Celery City Craft, Deviant Wolfe Brewing and Slam Pizza and Cheesesteaks, will offer discounts on July 31 for shoppers who show their receipts from a Sanford retail business.
As part of the festivities, downtown Sanford visitors can find a mobile bubble party with the Bubble Bus from noon-2 p.m. near Sanford Avenue and 5th Street, plus a golf cart parade beginning at 6 p.m. near the same location.
“It’s a really fun time,” Grant said. “Sanford is a fun walking town, and when you have all of these sales going on, it’s even more fun.”
Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
